smith



(Nomaden Y, V2 sheets-sheet 1.

' G. W. SMITH..

SIGNAL LANTBRN. No. 418,577. Patented 0011.22, 1889.

N. Putas. mwwumnwpner. wamzngxm o. a

' (No Modem i 2 shamssheet 2. A

v G. W. SMITH.

`SIGML LANTERN.

Patente@ 001;'. 22#I .1889.

1 .MJ n: In n lll nii 1 ...Y

Plmo-Linwgmmr, wannlnglou 0 c UNITED STATEs ,PATENT i' OFFICE..

GEORGE w. sMITI-I, on UNION CITY, INDIANA, AssIGNoE on ONELHALE To JAMES E. HENDEIcKs, on sAME PLAGE.

SIGNAL-ANTERN.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters IPatent No. 413,577, dated October 22, 1889. Applcatien filed March 25,1889. Serial No. 304,636. (No model.)

This invention relates lto signal-lanternsadapted to be used for railroad-cars, streetcars, steamboats, and other conveyances, as well as at railway-crossings, depots, and at all points where Ka signal-light is required; and

it has for its object, when applied to moving conveyances, to indicate the direction in which such conveyance's are moving, and also to some extentthe speed at which they are mov- Ing.

The invention consists in the improved construct-ion, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims. v In the drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of my improved signal-lantern, showing the same arranged in position for operation'upon a Caboose or railroad-car. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view. Fig. 4t is a vertical sectional'view taken on the line cczof Fig. 2.

The same letters refer to the same parts in alrtheignreanw- A designates a lantern-frame, which is preferably rectangular in shape, and which is mounted upon a base B, which,when the device, as shown in the drawings hereto annexed, is applied to a caboose or railroad-car, may consist of the roof of said car; otherwise the said base may consist of a suitably-arranged shelf or bracket.

In the following description my invention will be describedA in its application to a caboose or railroad-car, and it will be understood that when it is to be used for other purpegas various modifications in the construction`and arrangement of details will require to be made.

V'Ihe base B is provided with an opening C, in which is `mounted a cylindrical casing D,

which is provided near its lower end with diverging arms E E, to which is secured a beveled cog-wheel F, Upon the lower end of `the cylinder is fitted a cap G, having a cen-` trally-arranged spindle Lwhich may be journaled, in an opening J in a bracket K, which is hinged to the wall of the car, or to a bracket extending downwardly from the roof, if prev ferred. It will be seen ihatby raising or lifting the cylindrical case 'slightly the spindle ,will be lifted out of its bearing, thus enabling the hinged bracket tobe swung aside, and thereby enabling the cap G to be removed 4for the purpose of gaining access to the cylindrical casin g D. VThelattercontains the lamp L, which is provided near its lower end with spring-holders MM, the lowerends of which are bent inwardly through` slots N N in the `sides of a flange .0, extending downwardly from the bottom of the lamp. The springs M` M serve to engage an annular iiange P, formed interiorly in the'casing D, and the inner ends of said springs are connected by a cord Q. It will be seen that when the lamp is in position in 'the casing it is retained by the spring-catches resting upon the interior annular iiangein the said casing. In order to remove it for the purpose of cleaning or refilling, the cap G is first removed after swinging the bracket K aside. By pulling the cord Q the spring-catches M M will then -be drawn inwardly, so as to disengage them from the ilange O, thus enabling the lamp to be withdrawn from the casing. i

R and S designate bracketssecured to the under side of the base'B, and `forming bearings for a shaft T, composed of two sections U V, which are connected by a universal joint WV. The bearing in the bracket S is opened on top, so as to permit the shaft-section y to be raised or lifted out of itwhen occasion shall require. The shaft T is provided with a sleeve X, which may be adjusted thereon by means of a set-screw Y. Said shaft lcarries at opposite ends the bevel wheels or by means of the shaft T.- Oneend ofsaid` shaft has a band wheeler pulley ltowhich C2, affording a seat for a cylinder or shell D2,

which may be constructed of glass or other transparent material, or, if preferred, of sheet metal, or, in fact, of any material which may be desired. I would also particularly'state that it is not essential thatthe shell D2 should A be cylindrical in shape, inasmuch as the function vto be performed thereby may be performed equally satisfactorily if the casing were made square, triangular, hexagonal, or of other desired configuration. It will be observed that the cylinder or shell D2,being attached to the revolving casing D, will revolve with the latter when in operation. IVhen the said cylinder or shell D2 is made of glass,

mica,or other transparent material, it is pro` vided with painted or colored spiral stripes E2, of red, White, or other suitable conspicuous colors. Vhen the cylinder or shell,how ever, is constructed of non-transparent material, I provide it with a spiral slot or slots,

- as shown at F2 in the drawings. It will be observed by reference to the drawings that the burner of the lamp is so disposed as to be located about centrally in the shell D2, so that the light emitted by said burner Will be distinctly visible through the spirally striped or slotted casing, as the case may be, Fitted upon the upper end of the revolving shell D2 is a cap G2, having an upwardly-extending tube or pipe H2 for the escape of the products of combustion. Said pipe or escapetube may have a bearing in a tube I2 at the or cowl J2.

upper end of the lamp-casing, which forms a vcontinuation of the said escape -tube, and which is provided at its upper end with a cap It Will be seen that the tube I2 serves the double purpose of an escape-tube for the products of combustion and of forming a bearing for the upper end of the tube H2, whereby the motion of the revolving casing is steadied.

At the front and rear corners of the lampframe, diagonally opposite to each other, are hinged a pair of shutters K2 K2, the inner sides of which are provided with polished reflectors, which when partially open wilgl reiiect-the light emitted from the lamp in such a manner that it may be seen for a considerable distance. It will be observed that these shutters do not cover the front and rear sides f of the lamp-frame, but may be folded against rrection, while when closed they only serve to intensify the light emitted through the front and rear sides of the lamp-frame. The hinge-rods of the shutters K2 K2 are extended downwardly through the car roof or case B, and are provided with handles L2, by means of which the said' shutters may be regulated and adjusted at any desired position.

The operation of my invention as hereinV the direction in Which the train is moving.,

When it shall be desired to back the train, the position of the sleeve X, carrying the pinions Z and A2, may be shifted upon the shaft T, thus changing the direction of rotation. By little practice engineers and other interested parties will soon learn to tell not lonly the direction in which the train is moving, but also the approximate speed at which the train is moving, this being indicated by the speed of the spiral movement.

When my invention is attached to other conveyances than railroad-cars, motion may be transmitted to the revolving casing in any suitable manner, either direct from the operating machinery or from any of the parts operated thereby. Vhen the device is attached to a stationary bracket or other obj ect*such' as, for instance, when it is usedat a railroad crossing or depot-the revolving' casing may Vbe operated by means of a spring or Weight,

motion from Which may be transmitted thereto in any suitable Well-known manner.

I would have it understood that in the manufacture of this deviceI do not limit myself to the precise construction herein shown and described, but reserve the right to any changes and modifications which maybe resorted to Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and d 1 Letters Patent.-

1. In' a signal-lantern, the combination of the lantern-frame, a revolving cylindrical casing extending through the base of the same, a lamp arranged in the said cylindrical casing, and a shellattached to the upper end of the latter and havingone or more spirals therein for the emission of light, substantially as set forth.

IOO

IIO

2.' In a signal-lantern, the combination of the lantern-frame, the cylindrical casing extending through the base of the same and having a beveled gear-Wheel attached to its lower end, a shaft arrangedY transversely below said casing, a sleeve mounted adjustably upon said shaft and having pinions adapted to alternately engage the beveled Wheel upcn the lower end of the revolving casing, mechanism for transmitting motion to the said shaft, the lamp mounted in the cylindrical casing, and the shell supported upon the lat,- ter and `having spirals therein forthe emission of light, Substantially as set forth.

3. In a signal-lantern, the combination of a vertical revolving casin g carrying a lamp, and a shell having spirals therein for the emission of light, hangers .or brackets arranged` adjacent to said revolving casing, ashaft mounted in the said hangers and composed of two parts or sections connected by a universal joint, a sleeve mounted adj ustably upon the said shaft and provided with pinions facing in opposite directions and adapted to alter-V nately engage the bevel gear-wheel upon the lower end of the vertically-revolving casing,

5. In a signal-lantern,the combination of a` vertical revolving casing having a lamp, and a shell surrounding the latter and having spirals therein for .the emission of light, a cap at the lower end of said casing `having a downwardlyextending spindle, a hinged bracket having a step or bearing for said spindle, a transversely-arranged shaft composed of two parts or sections jointed universally and vhaving an adjustable sleeve provided with pinions adapted to alternately engagea beveled gear-wheel upon the lower;

end of the revolving casing, and mechanism for operating or transmitting motion to the said shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth'. y

6. In a signal-lantern, the combination, with a revolving casingcarrying a shell having spirals therein for the emission of light, andv having at 'its lower end an interior annular flange, of a lamp the sides of which are provided with spring-catches having their lower ends extended inwardly through slots formed in a Iiange which extends downwardly from the bottom of said lamp and connected by` meansof a cord or chain, whereby the said spring-catches may be simultaneously operated to release the lamp from the casing, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of the lantern-frame,

the revolving casing having an interior ana `cap at the lower end of the revolving casinghavinga downwardly-extending spindle, a hinged bracket having a step or bearing for theV said spindle, and mechanism for operating the said revolving casing in either direction, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. i i i 8. A signallantern. having a revolving shell surrounding the light, and having spirals therein for the emission of light, in combination with reiiecting-shutters hinged to diagonally-opposite corners of the lanternframe, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination of the lantern-frame, the revolving casing carrying the lamp, and

-the shell having spirals therein for the emis- H sion of light, a cap attached to the upper end of said shell and having an upwardly-extending escape-tube, and a tube extending up-` wardly from the top of the lantern-case and aording a bearing for the said escape-tube,

,85 10. The combina-tion of the lantern-frame, the revolving casing extending through the substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

base of the same and having at its lower yend a cap provided with a spindle which` is stepped or journaled in a hinged bracket, a

ter and having A spirals therein for the emission of light, a cap mounted upon the upper` end of said shell and having an upwardlywai'dly from the top of the lantern-frame and affording a bearing for the said escape-tube, and mechanism for operating the revolving casing and its attachments in either direc- .90 Vlamp arranged within the revolving casing, a shell attached to the upper end of the lat-- v extending escape-tube, a tubev extending up- -IOO tion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. A l

1l. In a signal-lantern, the combination,

with a lantern-frame, of a revolving casing extending downwardly through the base of the same, suitable mechanism for supporting and operating said revolving casing, a lamp arranged detachablyswithin said revolving casing, a shell attached to the upper end of ,IIO

the latter and having spirals therein fortl1e emission of light, and reiiecting shutters hinged 4at diagonally-opposite corners ofthe lantern-frame and provided with operating. rods extending downwardly through the base y and provided with handles, by means of which IIS they may be adjusted and manipulated, subi stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses. GEORGE Witnesses:

B. F. HARRIS, CYRUs WOODBURY.

w. sMiTH. 

